As per reports in ANI, the second Test between England and New Zealand at Edgbaston will see 18000 fans flock into the stadium per day of the Test match. The move is in accordance with the UK government’s second round of trials of the return of crowds. The Boris Johnson-led UK government is set to announce which events will be a part of phase two of trials in the upcoming days. It will host only 70 percent of the capacity crowd which is 25000.
Meanwhile, England have an enviable record at the venue, having won 28 of the 52 Tests that they have played, losing just nine. Also as per a report in Edbaston.com, the spectators must present a negative COVID-19 result from an NHS Rapid Lateral Flow Test, 24 hours before they are attending the Test match.
The pilot event will have fans following all COVID-19 protocols and the programme will be used to collect information on the risk of transmission of coronavirus at mass participation events. Taking to Twitter, the England Cricket wrote: “We CANNOT wait to have you back with us!”
England-New Zealand Second Test To See 18000 Fans Daily at Edgbaston
NEWS | Edgbaston’s LV= Insurance Test match named as pilot event. 🏟
We will be able to host around 18,000 spectators each day.
Ticket holders will be contacted via email regarding the next steps.
📝 https://t.co/KHh2BN27lq#Edgbaston | #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/MPkUriK2wB
— Edgbaston Stadium (@Edgbaston) May 26, 2021
As per the report, the process has been agreed by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and supported by Public Health England, the England & Wales Cricket Board, Birmingham City Council and Edgbaston’s own Safety Advisory Group.
“Whilst public health is the priority, the first stage pilots have shown how people can safely start to enjoy the things they love; live sport and music. It will be great to welcome cricket fans to Edgbaston and give the England team a huge boost as nothing beats the atmosphere that crowds create here,” Stuart Cain, Chief Executive at Edgbaston, said.
While The Indian team will directly head into the WTC final, the Kiwi squad will play a two-Test match series with the first match set to be played between June 2-6 at Lord’s. The second Test at Edgbaston will be played between June 10-14.
Also Read: England vs New Zealand 2021: Squads, Schedule, Timings, And Live Streaming Details